The library

March 19th 2004 - Alex

"Get on your dancing shoes, you sexy little swine!" Me and the audience sang in unison.

I allowed myself a quick glance over at Andy to exchange a little smirk with him. Things were getting interesting. The crowds were starting to learn all the lyrics and shout them back at us, something that didn't happen at the last show or the handful before that.

"Hopin' they're looking for you, sure you'll be rummaging through!"

The Boardwalk was the busiest I've ever seen it, and I worked here. Our small stage was being watched by a gathering of no more and no less than 100 people.

"And the shit shock horror! You've seen your future bride, yeah."

I stepped away from the microphone and focused on driving my pick through the strings of my guitar. Much to mine and the band's delight, the fans barked the lyrics back perfectly in time.

"So you're waiting and waiting!" I spat, a little literally, the last few words of the song out before bashing the strings of my guitar as I played the last few chords to the relatively short song. I walked over to the drum kit and shared a smirk and giggle with Helders as I picked up a half-full pint in a plastic glass and downed what was left of the alcohol, backed by a loud chorus of cheers and applause from the lively crowd.

Walking back up to the microphone stand, my eyes sifted through the large crowd, grouping and picking out certain faces when my own brown eyes fell on a very familiar pair of piercing blue ones.

I turned my back to the audience and signalled for Andy and Jamie to come closer as we huddled around Matt's drums.

"We're gonna play Choo Choo instead of Dancefloor now." I spoke loud enough for the boys to hear above the hubbub of the rowdy crowd but quiet enough for the fans in the front few rows to not make out what I was saying.

"We can do that." Matt shrugged and did a quick drum fill which received a few whistles and cheers.

"Yeah go on." Elsewhere, Jamie's words would've been perceived as a loud shout but with the impatient crowd, it sounded more like a whisper.

"Why?" Andy Groaned and shrugged nonchalantly, "You've seen your little ex and now you wanna make her jealous?"

I laughed because I didn't know what else to do or say but when the bassist's expression remained stone cold, I realised it wasn't much of a joke and that his words may have actually stung a bit.

I glanced at Matt for reassurance but he had his head tilted back and his eyes closed as he mimicked what I had done merely half a minute ago by finishing his beer.

The crowd seemed to hush ever so slightly as I stepped up to the microphone but the decrease in volume meant nothing when they were still the loudest audience we'd played to.

"Alreyt everybody you've been absolutely fantastic-"

My quick speech was interrupted by a smattering of applause, whistles and cheers.

"You really have been a great bunch..." I paused for a couple seconds as I mulled over what to say, "thank you very much to the boardwalk for 'osting us-"

Another round of adulation.

"But this is our last tune now it's called Choo Choo and it's for you, you bitch." My eyes were locked with Charlotte's. She was stood to the right in the middle row of people.

Everyone else probably had no clue what was going on or why I had just said what I said but as my gaze burrowed into hers and vice versa, I knew exactly why I uttered those words.

We never officially said we broke up, despite going a month without talking, and all of a sudden she decides to show up at the end of our first show since January. For one of the few times ever I was fuming with the brunette.

So as I played those first few high pitched chords and as Jamie joined in with the riff and as Matt laid down a sturdy beat and as Andy mirrored Jamie's riff on the bass; my eyes seldom left Charlotte's.